Oesophageal cancer is often only detected at a late stage

Scotland now has the highest incidence of oesophageal cancer in the world.

The LIFE-GI system works on the principle that cancerous tissue glows differently from normal tissue under a fluorescent light.

The apparatus, which has been installed at Glasgow's Gartnavel Hospital, was paid for by a medical charity.

The �39,000 cost of the equipment has been bought with proceeds from the fundraising efforts of Scottish charity Ochre (Oesophageal Cancer Has Reached Everywhere).

The LIFE-GI system lights-up cancerous tissue and should allow earlier diagnosis of oesophageal cancer and much improved chances of cure Grant Fullarton Consultant

The charity, of which Sir Sean Connery is patron, was recently established by a group of patients, their relatives and carers.

Chairman Warwick England, a survivor of oesophageal cancer, said: "Ochre is a new charity established to help reduce the incidence of death from oesophageal cancer.

"The scanner is the first piece of equipment funded by the charity for use by the health service.

"In acquiring it, Ochre has achieved a first step in fulfilling one of its aims to assist the health service in providing appropriate detection, prevention and treatment services together with the supply of equipment."

Earlier diagnosis

Grant Fullarton, a gastro-intestinal consultant at Gartnavel, said: "Poor survival from oesophageal cancer is mainly because this cancer is only detected at a late stage.

"The LIFE-GI system allows for earlier diagnosis of both pre-malignant and early cancer, which will produce more cures and lives will be saved.

"When biopsies are taken from the oesophagus, at the moment we have no visual clues to allow us to target the pre-malignant or early malignant tissue, requiring multiple time-consuming biopsies which even then may miss the early cancer.